Yangphel Open Archery Tournament – Going regional

There has been increasing number of teams participating in the Yangphel Open Archery Tournament (YOAT), since its conception in 1997. This year in 2010, we have 165 teams and the tournament started off with just 23 teams. With such a increase, organizing the tournament in single venue, limits the the level and standard of organisation. But, if there is division of the organisation all around the country, then the scope to impact the less number of teams participating in each region is more.

There are more reasons why the tournament should be taken to the regions.

In all, it will increase the participation from all around the country, since there are those interested living away from Thimphu that do not participate due to logistical issues, office commitments, etc. This will give them a chance to participate in this tournament that has become quite popular.

With increased participation, there would consequently be more competition and the general skill of the archers round the country would improve.

It will also enhance the local organisers as they would then be supported by the “mother” organisers.

The YOAT organisers are now looking for local organisers to come with thier own proposal and also for suggestions from the archers and general public in finding ways to make the tournament bring good results – even with the proposed change.

As mentioned above, there are good reasons why it should be taken to the regions but there would be why it should not. Lets discuss them.

The idea is also to perhaps have the league phase conducted all around the country, then how should we plan the prizes/ titles that are presently based on the league? Should we set a limit/ or a bar for people to qualify to compete from every region for a big prize? Or should there many such titles/ prizes of every region which does mean much smaller prize?

It is good to hear that YOAT is going regional and also YOAT is preparing to become a NGO.

I have few comments.
1. YOAT should go for becoming a NGO or a sports association (if rule permits)
2. YOAT to go regional is good but my suggestion is to continue with the current form/type of tournament, only at Thimphu.
3. The reason to sl. 2. YOATis its advantages as of now. It is growing and growing rapidly. It is 14th years old have gained a lot of experience. When something is growing, let it grow.
4. Another reason to 2 is the disadvantages of regions like seed ranking (uniformity of seed), home/registered/residing in regions. Chances of player playing in two region is alys there.
5. My suggestion is create a new tournament (Yangphel style) region wise may be in april. 4 regions regional wise tournament. league and finals also in the same region however only three finalist or semi would get a chance to play in the champions yangphel in Thimphu. the qualification to the Thimphu champions league.
6. Another tournament like the EPL, IPL style where franchsies or club can hire the players and play. (format)
I am thinking of some more comments. will comments later on.

i am in awe of what yangphel has achieved thus far by their tournament style, standard and the management. I commend all the organizimng members. Going regional is a good idea but it could be perhaps done in yangphels name and done by regional sports clubs. You should also do away with the seeding for the same team and same team players playing together in every tournament. Just a thought. More later,,,,,,,

Great idea – to go regional for the league phase where there will be more participation in the tournament. YOAT should look for sport associations/intrested individual(s) around the country to host the regional and have them throughly understand the concept of YOAT rules and regulations, keeping of points for teams and individual. Once YOAT decide to go regional. I would strongly recommend that all the host/organizers in each regoin should meet all together and have a separate workshop/meeting to understand the YOAT concept and have all in the same board.

More will be commented next time and hope more people can discuss and comment on each blog and also can talk word of mouth with others in archery ground for more inputs and thoughts.

1. So far since its inception, Yangphel Archery tournament is easily the most well organized Archery tournament of all. It is most commendable for the stupendous effort that goes into making it a success – year on year. Whenever a new archer first takes up a compound bow and arrows, it is in Yangphel tournament he dreams of earning himself a fame. Your effort has gone a long way into popularizing this sport and keeping their interest alive long after.
2. As for going regional !?? In what sense – by person’s census? residence? or anyone with just venue change? Most compound archers – volumewise is concerntrated in the capital and to some extent in Paro. European football Champions league style is a consideration, with archers required to register at only one of the regions and depending on number of teams participating in each region, the no. of slots could be allotted for the champions league to be held in the capital. This could be conducted in a two year basis with the first year for regional phase and second year for the champions league.
3. There are lot of talk making the rounds about Yangphel plans to award seeding to 150 archers out of the present tournament -2010. Shouldn’t there be some sound logic, sense and reasoning per-se his ongoing individual performance as basis to award a person a seeding? Presently there are 165 teams participating where many teams do not even have spare players which could roughly be around 900 players in all, of this if 150 players are awarded seedings, which is around 17% and if there is no performance cut off point below which a player cannot be considered for seeding, it would be rather nonsensical and sort of bullish (very un-Yanphellish, i would say). If you are worried about participants for 2011 – you need not, history speaks for itself, you can read the trend, every year there will be a few more teams adding on. Just a food for thought!!!

I agree with some of the writers above that there is no need for YOAT to go regional – yes, what for???? I also endorse that majority of the archers are in Thimphu. Paro, and Haa region who can easily make it to participate in Thimphu and they love it to be here in Thimphu. There are Yangphel style tournaments happening anyway in other districts even without the involvement of Yangphel. So let it be and let it evolve on its own. To the most you could continue supporting the local districts sports club with some donation, rules & regulations support and prizes etc when ever you can. Why do you need to officially take your tournament to other districts. It is already happening unless you dont know. I think you know it already. So, stick to the western region (Thimphu) and focus on improving your tournament year after year on the already good work you are doing.

Another thoguht it occurred to me and I also hear the archers talking that the other archery shop owned by nim Gyetse and Dorji Gyetse should step in and bear the costs of the tournament too. They benefit greatly for this tournament and it is not fair not to chip/help in on this cause. I would suggest them to increase the 2nd and the 3rd best archer prize from mere 40,000/10,000 to about 100,000/50,000 respectively. Nim and Dorji are very reasonable people and I am sure they will heed to your request if you approach them. Tell them the archers are requesting and they will certainly/surely consider.

one question i have for the organizers is that you are not asking to the government for the waiver of tax on the import of bows. It is a sporting good and it is our national game. Why do we (customers) have to pay 20% tax on the bows we buy from you. You pay your Bhutan Income tax on your profits to the government but you should ask the government to spare the customers of the import sales tax on bows. I think other sporting goods receive import tax waiver.

TO DORJI WANGDI: The number of regions may depend on the number of teams expected from each region. As of now, we are studying to see how many archers would be there from each district. Perhaps we will combine all of the eastern districts into one or two venues. Similarly central region maybe combined into one. We are studying to see the minimum number of teams required for each venue and region. As such your suggestions are very welcome and would be helpful.

As for the best archer, as of now, we are tentatively planning on bringing the top 15 individual archers across all the regions to Thimphu and have them shoot here at Changlimithang for 45 rounds. The 15 archers could be divided into three teams, and we will have them shoot all the 45 rounds.

These 15 archers could be from any region or all from one region, if they have the high total.

But all of the above is subject to discussion and any plans are yet to be finalized.

One simple reason for the need to take it to the regions is the sheer number of teams that are participating as of now. 165 teams at one venue (albeit two ranges). Often teams end up waiting for two weeks to play thier 2nd match.

The local organisers could tie up with organisers here and grow together.

- The system of seeding is in discussion and no changes have been decided but we do need to find ways to curb people from underperforming for the fear of being seeded.
- As for going regional, it would be mainly based on residence but will allow anyone who wants to change venue. But all is not finalized and are subject to discussion. Should we organise all the regional league rounds at same time or should we do it all year round with rigid verificatio process? Some ideas to thrash out.

We would be working quite closely in terms of making it certain that same standards are followed all around the country. A simple example of standard target, or sam length bacho besides providing right combination for fixtures are but just few of the support that is absoultely necessary to be given out.

itone question i have for the organizers is that you are not asking to the government for the waiver of tax on the import of bows. It is a sporting good and it is our national game. Why do we (customers) have to pay 20% tax on the bows we buy from you. You pay your Bhutan Income tax on your profits to the government but you should ask the government to spare the customers of the import sales tax on bows. I think other sporting goods receive import tax waiver.
agree with some of the writers above that there is no need for YOAT to go regional – yes, what for???? I also endorse that majority of the archers are in Thimphu. Paro, and Haa region who can easily make it to participate in Thimphu and they love it to be here in Thimphu. There are Yangphel style tournaments happening anyway in other districts even without the involvement of Yangphel. So let it be and let it evolve on its own. To the most you could continue supporting the local districts sports club with some donation, rules & regulations support and prizes etc when ever you can. Why do you need to officially take your tournament to other districts. It is already happening unless you dont know. I think you know it already. So, stick to the western region (Thimphu) and focus on improving your tournament year after year on the already good work you are doing.

Another thoguht it occurred to me and I also hear the archers talking that the other archery shop owned by nim Gyetse and Dorji Gyetse should step in and bear the

WE know the tournaments are important to be held in the national archery ground-changlimithang but we equally need to have more archery grounds in the periphery of Thimphu also. We keep hearing through Bhutan TV or radio from BAF officials that they are in the process of developing new archery grounds BUT where as nothing seem to be coming up. We heard a talk that the ground opposite chang jiji that is currently being filled up by waste soil will be given to Yangphel to develop an archery ground. Even that seems not to be happening. We hear it is given to Yangphel archery. How can Yangphel also just sit and relax and not develop anything. They need to hurry and develop aas soon as possible if archery is to progress and they will see more participants in their tournament and their business willa slo do well. So, we ask the BAF to pressure Yangphel to build and develop that changjiji archery ground soon.

Yangphel is yet to be given the charge of the archery field. Last time that was heard, BAF was negotiating with Thimphu City Corporation to be given the Changjiji land which had been designated as an area for exhibitions.

I am for YOAT going regional. i would like to share an experience here…the last time when a tournament was held at Gelephu, there were 21 teams participating from Gelephu, jigmeling, Sarpang, Tsirang, Dagana & Dagachu. Do u know how many teams are participating here in Thimphu this time in this tournament…..as far as i remember, 1 frm gelephu, may be 1 from jugmaling & Sarpang, 1 from Tsirang n 1 from Dagana. where r ther rest? Obviously they have logistic problem, official commitments, etc. If it is taken to regional, surely there will be more participants. ofcourse there needs to be a slot system developed as in champions league. as for the prize and seed players, its for Yangphel management to decide.

yes i fully support the idea and it will help many people who really want to play the match and some they couldn’t participate because of many reasons, as some of them already written and more comment will be given later, as we are discussing the issue here in our place ,

1) Climatic and Road conditions during the Yangphel Tournament reason being that Yangphel does not compromise on the rearrangement of fixtures.
2) inadequate leave of absence from office
3) Prize value differentiation between three toppers. my suggestion is that the value of prizes should have minimum differences.
4) By your proposal there will be equal and lots of opportunity and teams for the archery lovers.
5) Interest of players and formation of team shall be equal and competitive.

Recording of Highest karey for Regional will be based as per the rules of Yangphel for the 45 rounds and the best of the best Archer from every region has to qualify for 45 rounds of all the regions to be played at Changlimithang and the title will have to be given as per the invidual performance for the 45 round.

My concern this time is not regarding YOAT going regional. Its regarding the qualification to Knockout I through wild card entry. let me quote the rules first:

Wild Card Entry to Knockout I

1. A total of 12 teams will receive qualification to the knockout phase via the Wild Card Slots. From all the teams in all pools that did not receive automatic qualification, 12 teams with the highest Karey totals will qualify through the Wild Card Slots.
2. If there is a tie in deciding wild card slots the total scores (1st tie breaker) of the teams will be calculated and the team with the higher scores will advance. In case of a tie in both score as well as total Karey (including Sa-Karey & Bull’s Eye hits) count, a re-match will decide who is to advance between the 2, 3, or more teams.

The rule no. 2 says that the team with higher total score will advance, its the 1st Tie breaker. But on the contrary, this time Joker 11 has the lowest total score among the 4 teams with 79 kareys each, and it qualifies. I am now left in oblivion as m not sure which rule yangphel organizing committee is following. Can any one throw some light on it.

We do say that the first tie breaker is team score but you have to tie first. To tie in karey total, you have to tie not just total but also, sa-kareys and bulls – because if you are not equal in all of these, then there would be difference in total points generated. So, it is assumed that all understand that to tie in kareys means equalling not just kareys, but sa-karey and bulls included within the total.

its nice to hear that yangphel is going regional henceforth but the concern is what about the umpires and officials for the matches? Will yangphel send thier people or are there someother means of doing it? what i feel is, there are always the chances of manipulating the number of kareys when it goes regional to become the best archer of the year…

TO DORJI:
As of now, just some plans;
– there would be independent observers appointed in the different regions (independent of the local organizers)
- proper documentation would be sought
- and the 15 top archers (from across all the regions) would be invited to come to Changlimithang to play another 45 rounds to find the best of them. There could be several archers from one region or none among the top 15.

It is very interesting and motivating to learn the idea of YAOT going regional. I must submit that, I am one of the enthuasists deprived of the opportunity because of logistics and official commitments being away from Thimphu. I for one, very much welcome and support the idea of YAOT going regional. I am sure, there are many talented archers across the the country who are not able to showcase their skills. If YAOT goes regional, this will open avenes for those talented lots.

I feel the turnament timing is very critical. The current practice of YAOT (August-September) is not very favourable for many enthuasists who are in teaching professions. If the current YAOT is organized sometime from the end of December to mid February, many talented enthuasist(teachers) will get an opportunity to participate(during winter break). I for one, surely come to Thimphu to particiapte, and I have personally heard of many of my friends(enthuasists) say the same.

Looking forward for YAOT going regional, if not we wish to see YAOT (Thimphu) Schedule change from current (August-September) to End of Dec-Mid Feb.
Good luck Yangphel!

Yangphel archery tournament timings is ideal for a bunch of tour guides that are archery enthusiast. There are about 1300 guides and even half of them playing archery is 600 of them. The archery tournament months of june to mid sept is IDEAL. Sorry teachers but I am sure there are others who are also enthusiast that compliment to the current tournament period. If Yangphel has organized the same tournament for the same months for last 14 years then my suggestion is not to consider changing.

On another note – the freshness of summer is very rejuvenating to play archery. The days are long to accommodate two games easily compared to winter months and the occassional rain is refreshing mena la.

Good luck in your regional tournament organization feat. It is going to be a challenge but may be you will be able to do it.

On another note – the freshness of summer is very rejuvenating to play archery. The days are long to accommodate two games easily compared to winter months and the occassional rain is refreshing mena la.

The YAOT going regional is a great idea in giving opportunity for every archery enthusiast to participate.
I have initiated Yangphel style Archery tournaments in Haa, Gelephu and Tsirang. Through my experiences I would like to through a few lines of suggestions.
1. The present, Local organizers may be identified from different regions and called
for meetings/discussions by Yangphel/parent organizer. The views put in by
the individuals in this form can be discussed.
2. Regards to seeded players: They will be absorbed by the teams from different
regions.
3. An individual can play from any region but can play in one team only.
4. Till Quarter finnals can be organized in the region, and the qualifying teams for
Semi-finnals can be played in Thimphu.
5. Selection of prize winners:- The records from the regions will be compilled and
select the winners.
This is my opinion only.
All these can be taken care if a set of members sit together and discuss.